My mom and dad, Luella and Thomas DuCharme, had passed away in 2008 and my husband’s father, Russell Ruby, passed away some time ago in Mason City, Iowa. They all had cancer. My mom and dad left a small inheritance for me that was unexpected. It wasn’t a ton, just a small amount that I really did not want to put in the bank, but I wanted it to “tell a story” for my posterity and I wanted the money to do something that would honor our parents and be a blessing to others.

JUST TO MENTION…My mother was a baker, Scott’s mother, Ocella Ruby, still living in Mason City, is also one of the best cooks and bakers in Northern Iowa. My dad was nicknamed “Daddy Tomatoes” since he really knew how to grow a garden and grow the best tomatoes in Wisconsin. Scott’s Dad was into antiques and looking for great deals. Then I started to think about all of my relatives both living and dead and I took a piece of each one of them that meant something to me in my life and I began to put together what is now called “THE LADYBUG”.

HERE’S HOW IT BEGAN…

We purchased some land near family members in Kansas, outside of Overland Park in Mound City. I wanted to be near some of my kids and grandkids so they could be a part of THE LADYBUG. The land we purchased had a greenhouse on it and old run down buildings. My husband wanted to build a hot dog stand. Scott wanted Dodger Dogs…cause he was obsessed with the Dodgers. I personally HATE hot-dogs and I don’t think they are real nutritious. I love the FRESH PRODUCE and GROWN items and making as much as possible by scratch. I’m also a Massage Therapist, so I love everything to do with natural healing and vegetables that are grown from good healthy dirt. I reminded him that “THE LADYBUG” was supposed to be a blessing to others, so let’s keep on track and keep praying for inspiration.

AS WE CONTINUED TO PRAY…

We began praying and we were led to a passage that I actually never noticed in the Bible…
Psalms 103: If you put “GOOD THINGS” into your body, then your youth will be renewed like the Eagles. (parafrased). After reading and understanding what the Lord was trying to tell us, we began to build THE LADYBUG with the concept of having a FRESH, FARM to FORK EXPERIENCE that would put “GOOD THINGS” into your body. Not “everything” at THE LADYBUG is good for your body, but we try real hard to get fresh, just picked, some organics and using local farmers that try not to use GMO on their crops and are grassfed animals, etc. We made a sign with Psalms 103 on it and we have it displayed in the Courtyard of THE LADYBUG in Clear Lake.

We loved Mound City Kansas and everyone out there seemed to love THE LADYBUG, but after having to go back to Clear Lake and Mason City to take care of family situations, we thought it would be a great idea to build another LADYBUG in Clear Lake to be near Scott’s mom and sister and extended family.

SOOOOOOOOO…..

We purchased the old Flower Petal Shop with Greenhouses. After two and a half long years of building, pounding and blood, sweat and tears…THE LADYBUG in Clear Lake FINALLY got open for a short 12 weeks in 2014. Since we are a Farm to Fork experience, we are only seasonal and open April 15th through October 25th. It gives us a chance to travel the other 6 months to see all of our beautiful 8 kids and their wonderful spouses and 22 grandkids, awesome extended family and friends.

WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN AWESOME BLESSING TO US, CAUSE WE REALLY DO LOVE ALL OF YOU AND WE LOVE SEEING EACH PERSON THAT WALKS INTO THE LADYBUG HAVE AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE…WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

P.S. We have another sign right by our register that says “WE WORK FOR THE KING”…we feel that we work for our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and by working for them, it is our hope that we serve each one of our customers, making you each feel important! We want to be sure that we listen carefully, take your needs seriously, keep our promises and admit and fix when we make a mistake. Bottom line…we want to earn your trust and confidence. There is an old slogan that says: It’s better to have one customer one hundred times than one hundred customers once.

ENJOY…
Big AIR HUGS,
Scott and Wendy Ruby

NOTE: THE HOT DOG SHOWN BELOW IS THE ONLY “PICTURE OF A HOT DOG” YOU WILL SEE AT THE LADYBUG IN CLEAR LAKE…HOT DOGS ARE “NOT” ON OUR MENU.